Society of Iowa Rugby Referees

08/18/2026

Has anyone with your team or club done the Assistant Referee online certification course? If so, please have them reach out!

We'd love to start working with them to see how they can help out either at your home matches, the high school leagues, or beyond!

08/05/2026

Sure, you're the best referee on the sidelines, but this is the chance to put your money where your mouth is! 😁

Sign up for the course and join a group of people who genuinely love the game of rugby! The game can't happen without a referee!

Our referee community is welcoming, supportive, and one that fuels individual improvement. If you're a person who loves to challenge yourself and grow, this is a wonderful opportunity!

07/16/2026

Co-sign every statement in this post! Refereeing is a great way to stay connected to the sport!

We have a place for everyone and love to grow our group. Refereeing offers many paths to follow from community level all the way to high-performance pathways to MLR or beyond.

But your first step starts here!

We are very excited to announce that we will be having a referee clinic in Mason City again!

Refereeing is a great way to experience our sport, to give back, and to improve your coaching/playing abilities. Consider expanding on your rugby journey and sign up for this course today!

https://www.facebook.com/share/18w5QeMz7o/

03/23/2026

Today we had 14 people take the Level 1 Referee Course and take their first steps in their referee journey!

A big thank you to Amanda for making the trip to instruct these fine folks and a big thank you to the West Des Moines Wombats Rugby Club for providing the space and lunch!

A final thank you to all the attendees. We hope to see you out on the pitch soon!

02/10/2026

🗣️ WE NEED REFEREES. WE NEED YOU. 🏉

The Society of Iowa Rugby Referees is bringing a USA Rugby Referee L1 Accreditation Course to Des Moines, and this is your chance to give back to the game we all love.

📅 Sunday, March 22nd
⏰ 8:30am – 5:00pm
📍 Weeks Middle School | Des Moines, IA

This course is a perfect introduction to refereeing, and once completed, you’ll be eligible to officiate high school, college, and senior matches as soon as this spring!

The Wombats and B-Side Bois Rugby Podcast teamed up with S.I.R.R.S to make this happen locally because rugby doesn’t exist without referees. Whether you’re a current player, former player, or just a fan of the sport, anyone can pick up a whistle and help make rugby better!

👉 Registration is REQUIRED through USA Rugby / Rugby Xplorer

🔗 Use this link and search for the course:
https://usarugby.docebosaas.com/learn/courses/71/level-1-referee-course

No refs = no rugby.
Step up. Be part of the solution.
We need you!
And it's a great way to stay involved in the sport after playing!

USA Club Rugby

🐾🎙️

08/08/2025

What news out of Mid America! If you've been looking to get your Level 1 Referee certification this is a great opportunity to do so.

August 23 is the start of the Midwest competitive cycle, but it's not deadlocked with Iowa matches. Take the plunge!

If this is something Iowa Rugby Union members want to take advantage of, please reach out for information on travel grants!

07/01/2025

Please see the latest law clarification from World Rugby regarding diving/jumping over a ruck in the act of scoring:

https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/law-clarifications/2025/clarification-1-2025/

This clarification is effective immediately.

Iowa Rugby Union
Iowa Youth Rugby Association

At a ruck/breakdown close to the goal line, the attacking scrum half picks up the ball and dives forward over the ruck in an attempt to score a try.  Is this legal or should it be sanctioned?

06/29/2025

Partial ref crew picture from Block Party 7s yesterday!

This group put in the work on a hot and humid day. Lots of good opportunities for feedback and learnings while providing a great platform for the teams to showcase their skills!

Left to right: Matt Ragan, Don LeRoux, Eddy Tapia, Randy Kiburz, Adam Falk, James Gadient

Trash bin a stand in for the folks who had to leave early: referees Paul Damge, Milton Audas, and Paul Wood who provided some great coaching to help us to be always improving!

02/28/2025

Hello Iowa Senior Club Teams,

Have you entered your matches into RefUp? Contact your Match Secretary/RefUp admin and ensure they're building the requests there.

If it's not in RefUp, we don't know about it!

You can double check our Assignments page to see what we have (and don't). Link in comments!

02/01/2025

If you're planning on watching the Six Nations, as you enjoy the great and storied tournament, remember that the 20 Minute Red Card is a Six Nations specific variation! It is *not* a part of the Global Law Trials that went into effect January 1!